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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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White Christmas

A cold and snowy Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I guess you know you are getting old when you like it but you don't want out in it.


We don't have to go anywhere so we are happy inside.

A Northern Flicker has been visiting the suet feeder for the past month or so. He is so beautiful!

And the hummingbird is a faithful resident. It seems so weird seeing them with snow on the ground. We have been bringing the feeder inside at night to keep it from freezing.


This year's Buche de Noel was made by Michael. My work schedule was pretty full last week so he pitched in and did the honors. This thing is heavenly. The frosting and cake has Kahlua in it. I posted the recipe a few years ago. Sadly, we lost the little Cardinal bird that we always decorated it with - we think it was lost in the move. And we have nothing with red berries in the garden. I will have to remedy that. Michael had some tiny little birds from his craft supplies and came up with nice decorations. Merry Christmas everyone!





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 25, 2017 at 3:50 PM

    Your yule log looks so pretty. New decorations to begin a new tradition. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and Michael.

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  2. http://whatsitgarden.blogspot.comDecember 25, 2017 at 6:40 PM

    That Buche looks gorgeous and delicious ! We had a little treacherous walk today , it was nice to be out for a bit of air... and so quiet out . Merry Christmas !

    ReplyDelete
  3. AaronDecember 25, 2017 at 8:52 PM

    This post is awesome.

    The Flicker is beautiful, but the hummer looks kinda sad in the snow. I'm sure he/she is happy that at least there is some warm, unfrozen sugar water to drink!

    Merry (white) Christmas! :)

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  4. organicgardendreamsDecember 25, 2017 at 9:36 PM

    Dear Phillip, your snowed in garden looks so pretty! I do feel sorry for the hummingbird, though. Will it have a chance to survive?
    That Buche de Noel is something else! I might have to try your recipe. I love the cake decoration. Very unique and charming!
    Can't believe that Christmas is almost over. Hope you guys savor the last moments. Merry Christmas to you and your partner!
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverDecember 25, 2017 at 9:42 PM

      Christina, the Anna’s hummingbird does indeed survive the winter here. How they do it - I don’t know.. They were here last winter and it was an unusually harsh one.

      Delete
  5. outlawgardenerDecember 26, 2017 at 9:02 AM

    Merry Christmas to you both! Your garden looks beautiful frosted with snow. Speaking of frosting, the Buche de Noel looks divine!

    ReplyDelete
  6. sweetbayDecember 26, 2017 at 9:40 PM

    The Buche de Noel looks heavenly! Gorgeous picture of the flicker.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SallysmomDecember 29, 2017 at 4:37 AM

    Love your pics of the Log. Sorry I just have to call it that. My grandson loves this & has always since he was old enough to say it has asked for a log cake at Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KMGDecember 29, 2017 at 1:48 PM

    Beautiful pics Phillip. What kind of camera are you using?

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